Minimum Wage Calculator UK 2026 (NMW & NLW)

UK Minimum Wage Guide (April 2026)

The April 2026 Rates

From 1 April 2026, the UK's legal minimum hourly pay rates increased. The National Living Wage (for workers aged 21 and over) rose to £12.71 per hour. The National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds rose to £10.85 per hour. The rate for under-18s rose to £8.00 per hour, and the apprentice rate also rose to £8.00 per hour. These are legal minimums — your employer must pay at least the rate for your age band (or the apprentice rate if you qualify), and paying less is unlawful. The rates are set each April on the recommendation of the Low Pay Commission, and the gap between the youth rates and the main adult rate has been narrowing over recent years as policy moves toward a single adult rate. The new rates apply from the first pay reference period starting on or after 1 April 2026, so if your pay period straddles that date, the new rate applies from the start of the next period. This calculator uses the confirmed April 2026 rates; because they change every April, check GOV.UK for the current figures in future years. Knowing the correct rate for your age lets you check your payslip and ensure you're being paid at least the legal minimum.

Which Rate Applies to You

The rate you're entitled to depends on your age and, for apprentices, your circumstances. If you're 21 or over, you get the National Living Wage (£12.71 from April 2026) — the highest band, following the lowering of the NLW age threshold to 21 in recent years. If you're 18, 19, or 20, you get the 18-to-20 rate (£10.85). If you're under 18 (but above compulsory school age), you get the under-18 rate (£8.00). The apprentice rate (£8.00) applies if you're an apprentice aged under 19, or aged 19 or over but in the first year of your apprenticeship; apprentices past their first year and aged 19+ move to the rate for their age. You move up to the next band from the first pay period after your birthday. The minimum wage applies to most workers, including part-time, casual, and agency workers, but there are exceptions — the genuinely self-employed, some company directors, family members working in a family business, and certain others aren't covered. The rate is based on your actual age and apprentice status, so check you're on the right band, especially around birthdays and apprenticeship anniversaries, as employers don't always update rates automatically.

Checking You're Paid Correctly

Minimum wage compliance isn't just about the headline hourly rate — several factors can push effective pay below the legal minimum even when the stated rate looks fine. Deductions: certain deductions reduce pay for minimum wage purposes, such as charges for uniforms or tools you must buy, or accommodation above the permitted offset — if these bring your effective pay below the minimum, that's a breach. Unpaid working time: all your working time must be paid at least the minimum, including time spent on tasks before or after a shift, travel between work assignments, training, and security checks; not paying for this time can create underpayment. Tips: tips and service charges can't count toward minimum wage — your basic pay must meet the minimum before tips. Salaried workers: for salaried staff, the total annual salary divided by the hours actually worked must not fall below the minimum, so excessive unpaid overtime can breach it. To check your own pay, divide your total pay for a period by the hours you actually worked (including all working time), after relevant deductions, and compare with your legal rate. This calculator's compliance check compares the rate you enter against the legal minimum for your age. If you think you're underpaid, you can raise it with your employer, report it to HMRC (which enforces minimum wage and can recover arrears), or get advice from ACAS or Citizens Advice.

Minimum Wage and Your Finances

Understanding minimum wage pay helps with budgeting and knowing your rights. At £12.71 an hour for full-time work (say 37.5 hours a week), gross annual pay is around £24,800 before tax and National Insurance — this calculator shows the weekly, monthly, and annual figures for your hours. Bear in mind these are gross figures: income tax and National Insurance reduce take-home pay, though minimum wage earners benefit from the tax-free personal allowance, so a large part of the income may be untaxed. If you're on a low income, you may also be entitled to top-up support such as Universal Credit, which is designed to supplement earnings, and you may qualify for help with council tax, childcare, and other costs. It's worth checking your entitlement to these, as many people who qualify don't claim. The minimum wage rising each April helps pay keep pace with living costs, though whether it keeps up with inflation varies year to year. If you're paid the minimum and struggling, a benefits calculator or Citizens Advice can identify support you may be missing. This calculator focuses on your gross minimum-wage pay; to see take-home after tax, use a salary or income tax calculator, and to check benefit entitlement, use the relevant benefits tools or seek advice.